10 Things To Know About Egypt

Egypt is both a magical historical place of pyramids and a
modern society influential in the Mideast. Here are 10 things you
should know about Egypt.

10 Things To Know About Egypt

From mummies to pyramids to Cleopatra to the bible, there is no
disputing the fact that Egypt has played a major role in the history of
mankind. While it is easy to get caught up in the fascinating history
of Egypt, modern Egypt offers just as many interesting tidbits of
information. Here are 10 things you might already know about the
country or, then again, you might not.

1. Egypt is the most populous country in what is considered
the Arab world and is the second most populous country in Africa with
more than 70 million people claiming residence.

2. Almost the entire population of Egypt lives in the cities
of Alexandria, Cairo and along the Nile river delta, making said areas
the most densely populated in the world with over 3,800 people per
square mile.

3. Education is compulsory in Egypt and free through the
age of 16. Notwithstanding this fact, the literacy rate for Egyptians
is a low 57 percent.

4. The word "Egypt" means civilization in metropolis in its original Arabic interpretation.

5. The period of the pharaohs started in 3,100 BC with the rule
of the Pharaoh Mena and lasted through 29 subsequent dynasties that are
divided up into the Old Kingdoms, Middle Kingdoms and New Kingdoms for
archeological purposes.

6. Following the fall of the dynasties, Egypt suffered through
hundreds of years of foreign occupation by Persians, Turks, Romans and
Greeks. Napoleon Bonaparte even controlled the country for a short
period of time.

7. The Aswan High Dam was completed in 1970 and supplies
massive amounts of electricity to the country through hydropower.
Unfortunately, the dam has also blocked the movement of nutrients to
the fields beyond it causing equally massive agricultural problems.

8. Although the longest river in the world, the Nile is never more than 20 kilometers wide.

9. Egypt is in the process of becoming a major exporter of natural gas.

10. Egypt is approximately 387,000 square miles in size.

If ever there was a country that fascinates people on a large
scale, it is Egypt. From pharaohs to the Nile, it is an amazing place.